Measuring instrument with multiple signal terminals shared in multiple operation modes

ABSTRACT

A housing  1  contains a plurality of signal processing units for performing signal processing corresponding to a plurality of operation modes. At a front surface  1   a  of the housing, an operation panel  3 , a display, and a plurality of signal terminals  5   a  are provided, the signal terminals being located close to the display and shared by the signal processing units. A signal name memory stores signal names  11  allocated to the respective signal terminals for each of the signal processing units. A changeover switch is switched such that the signal processing units are connected to the signal processing unit corresponding to the designated operation mode in response to the operation-input operation mode designation, and the signal name corresponding to the designated operation mode is read out from the signal name memory, and is then displayed in the vicinity of the corresponding signal terminal on a display screen  4   a  of the display.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a measurement apparatus which shares aplurality of signal terminals in a plurality of operation modes,particularly to measurement apparatuses such as a signal generatorhaving a plurality of signal processing units corresponding torespective operation modes, a waveform analysis apparatus and a signalanalysis apparatus, which share a plurality of signal terminals inrespective operation modes.

BACKGROUND ART

FIG. 8 is an appearance view of a conventional signal generator(hereinafter referred to as a measurement apparatus as one example) formeasuring performances of various apparatuses incorporated in a datacommunication system and a mobile communication system or a performanceof a signal transmitted in a network.

That is, in this measurement apparatus, a power switch 2, an operationpanel 3 in which a large number of operation buttons, operation knobs,ten keys, function keys and the like are arranged, a display 4 having arectangular display screen 4 a, a large number of signal terminals 5,and the like are attached to a front surface 1 a of a housing 1substantially having a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

Moreover, in a test apparatus regarding data transmission, a largenumber of measurement functions for measuring a large number of testitems with one measurement apparatus shown in FIG. 8 are incorporated inthe measurement apparatus.

In general, respective measurement items (functions) in the measurementapparatus are performed by individual signal processing units for therespective measurement items (functions) incorporated in the housing 1.

An operator selects/sets an operation mode for each measurement item(function) of the measurement apparatus.

For example, for the measurement apparatus for measuring theperformances of various apparatuses incorporated in the mobilecommunication system, the respective operation modes for sending a TDMAtest signal and CDMA test signal for a TDMA system, CDMA system andother communication systems employed by the mobile communication systemas a measurement object are prepared in the measurement apparatus.

Moreover, in the aforementioned measurement apparatus, there is also anoperation mode for measuring output signals of various apparatusesincorporated in the mobile communication system.

Additionally, types or signal numbers of the signals inputted/outputtedto the outside of the measurement apparatus differ with the respectivemeasurement items (functions) so as to perform the respectivemeasurement items (functions) in this type of measurement apparatus.

Therefore, essentially, in this type of measurement apparatus, for eachmeasurement item (function), it is necessary to dispose a large numberof signal terminals for exclusive use in a signal processing unit forthe corresponding measurement item (function) on the front surface 1 aof the housing 1.

However, as shown in FIG. 8, the operation panel 3 having apredetermined occupation area is disposed on the front surface 1 a ofthe housing 1.

The aforementioned large number of operation buttons, operation knobs,ten keys, and function keys disposed on the operation panel 3 areessential for setting test conditions in detail.

Therefore, the occupation area of the operation panel 3 in the frontsurface 1 a cannot be reduced any more.

Consequently, in this type of measurement apparatus, for eachmeasurement item (function), it is difficult to arrange a plurality ofsignal terminals for exclusive use in the corresponding measurement item(function) on the front surface 1 a of the housing 1.

To solve such disadvantage, in a conventional art, a plurality of signalterminals 5 a attached to the front surface 1 a of the housing 1 asshown in FIG. 9A are defined as the signal terminals 5 a shared for therespective measurement items (functions).

Moreover, the shared signal terminal 5 a is switched and connected tothe signal processing unit for performing the measurement item(function) designated in the operation mode.

However, since the type of the signal inputted/outputted to each sharedsignal terminal 5 a attached to the front surface 1 a of the housing 1differs with each measurement item (function), a signal name cannot beput down in the vicinity of each shared signal terminal 5 a attached tothe front surface 1 a of the housing 1.

Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, individual signal name sheets6 a, 6 b, . . . are prepared for the respective measurement items(functions).

Moreover, in each of the signal name sheets 6 a, 6 b, . . . , a throughhole 7 for passing the signal terminal 5 a is formed in a positioncorresponding to the shared signal terminal 5 a, and a signal name 8 isput down in a position adjacent to each through hole 7.

Furthermore, every time the operator changes the measurement item(function) in the operation mode, the operator uses, for example, ascrew, and the like to attach the signal name sheet 6 a, 6 b, . . . forthe measurement item (function) designated in the operation mode to thefront surface 1 a of the housing 1 so that each shared signal terminal 5a is passed through the through hole 7.

The operator can use the signal name sheets 6 a, 6 b, . . .corresponding to the respective operation modes to immediately grasp thesignal name of the signal to be inputted/outputted to each shared signalterminal 5 a.

However, even in the measurement apparatus in which the signal namesheets 6 a, 6 b, . . . shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B are used to grasp thesignal names of the signals to be inputted/outputted to the respectiveshared signal terminals 5 a, the following problems yet remain to besolved.

That is, every time the operator of the measurement apparatus changesthe operation mode to start measuring a new measurement item (function),the operator needs to replace the signal name sheet 6 a, 6 b, . . .attached to the front surface 1 a of the housing 1 with another signalname sheet 6 a, 6 b, . . . corresponding to the changed measurement item(function).

A replacing operation of the signal name sheet 6 a, 6 b, . . . islaborious. Therefore, when the measurement item (function) is frequentlychanged, an operation burden of the operator (measuring person)increases.

Moreover, when the number of measurement items (functions) is large, thenumber of signal name sheets 6 a, 6 b, . . . also increases. Therefore,management of the signal name sheets 6 a, 6 b, . . . becomes intricate.

Furthermore, every time the measurement item (function) is added, it isnecessary to prepare the signal name sheet 6 a, 6 b, . . . for the addedmeasurement item (function).

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A measurement apparatus of the present invention is applied to ameasurement apparatus in which a plurality of signal processing unitsfor a plurality of respective operation modes concerning a signalprocessing are contained in a housing, and an operation panel, adisplay, and a plurality of signal terminals positioned in the vicinityof the display and shared by the respective signal processing units arearranged on a housing front surface.

Moreover, an object of the present invention is to provide a measurementapparatus. In the measurement apparatus, when an operator selects anoperation mode, a signal name of a signal to be inputted/outputted tothe shared signal terminal is automatically displayed, and operabilitycan largely be enhanced. Even when a measurement item (function) isadded, the signal name corresponding to the added measurement item(function) can easily be displayed, and the operability can further beenhanced.

To achieve the aforementioned object, according to one aspect of thepresent invention, there is provided a measurement apparatus comprising:

a plurality of signal processing units (16 a, 16 b, 16 c) contained in ahousing (1) and corresponding to a plurality of operation modesconcerning a signal processing, respectively;

an operation panel (3), a display (4), and a plurality of signalterminals (5 a) disposed in the vicinity of the display and shared bythe respective signal processing units, which are arranged on a frontsurface of the housing;

a changeover switch circuit (17 a, 17 b, 17 c, 18 a, 18 b, 18 c),disposed between the plurality of signal terminals and the respectivesignal processing units, for switching/connecting the plurality ofsignal terminals to the respective signal processing units;

a signal name memory (30), disposed for each of the signal processingunits, for storing a signal name of a signal allocated to the signalterminal;

switch circuit control means (22) for changing the changeover switchcircuit in response to an operated/inputted operation mode designationto connect each signal terminal to the signal processing unitcorresponding to the designated operation mode; and

signal name display means (25, 23) for reading each signal namecorresponding to the designated operation mode from the signal namememory and displaying the signal name in the vicinity of thecorresponding signal terminal in a display screen of the display inresponse to the operation mode designation.

In the measurement apparatus constituted as described above, the signalname of the signal allocated to each signal terminal is stored in thesignal name memory for each signal processing unit corresponding to eachoperation mode.

Moreover, when the operator uses, for example, the operation panel todesignate the operation mode, each signal name corresponding to theoperation mode is read and displayed in the vicinity of eachcorresponding signal terminal in the display screen of the display.

Therefore, since the operator can only designate the operation modecorresponding to the measurement item (function) to confirm the signalname of the signal to be inputted/outputted to each shared signalterminal, operability of the measurement apparatus can largely beenhanced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a part taken from a front surface of ameasurement apparatus according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part taken from the back surface of themeasurement apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic constitution of themeasurement apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a stored content of a signal name memory inthe measurement apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a displayed content in a display of themeasurement apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a stored content of a back surface (rearsurface) correspondence table memory in the measurement apparatus ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a display processing operation of a signalname in the measurement apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a conventionalgeneral measurement apparatus.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams showing a conventional technique for usinga signal name sheet to inform the signal name of a shared signalterminal in the measurement apparatus in which the shared signalterminal is used.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinafterwith reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a measurement apparatus according to anembodiment.

The measurement apparatus has a function of a signal generator forgenerating and outputting various modulation signals.

In FIG. 1, the same part as that of the conventional measurementapparatus shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9A is denoted with the same referencenumerals, and detailed description of the overlapped part is omitted.

In a measurement apparatus according to one embodiment of the presentinvention, a power switch 2, a display 4 having a rectangular displayscreen 4 a, five shared signal terminals 5 a, and a plurality of signalterminals 5 in which signals to be inputted/outputted are fixed aredisposed on a front surface 1 a of a housing 1.

The five shared signal terminals 5 a are disposed at equal intervals inthe vicinity of a lower side 4 b of the display screen 4 a of thedisplay 4 and along the lower side 4 b.

Furthermore, arrow markers 10 are put down in contact with the lowerside 4 b of the display screen 4 a in the front surface 1 a and inpositions opposite to the respective shared signal terminals 5 a.

Moreover, a display TTL indicating that levels of digital input signalsapplied to these five shared signal terminals 5 a should be applied asthe same level of TTL is attached below the attachment positions of thefive shared signal terminals 5 a.

Furthermore, a signal name pattern 12 constituted of a plurality offrames in which respective signal names 11 of the signals allocated tothe respective signal terminals 5 a are written is displayed in aposition opposite to the respective shared signal terminals 5 a in thelower side 4 b of the display screen 4 a of the display 4.

For the signal name pattern 12, in an example shown in FIG. 1, “data”,“symbol clock”, “burst gate”, “burst trigger”, and “data clock” areallocated as the signal names 11 to the corresponding signal terminals 5a in order from the left side of the drawing.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the measurement apparatus of FIG. 1 seen from aback surface side.

Similarly as the front surface 1 a of the housing 1, in a back surface 1b of the housing 1, a plurality of signal terminals 13 in which thesignals to be inputted/outputted are fixed, a plurality of shared signalterminals 14 different in the inputted/outputted signal with eachoperation mode, a cooling fan 15, and the like are disposed.

Additionally, it is assumed that the respective shared signal terminals14 attached to the back surface 1 b have a very small frequency for useas compared with the respective shared signal terminals 5 a attached tothe front surface 1 a.

Moreover, the display TTL indicating that the level of the digital inputsignal to be applied to the shared signal terminal 14 should also beapplied as the same level of TTL is attached (see FIG. 3).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic inner connectionconstitution of the measurement apparatus of FIG. 1.

A plurality of signal processing units corresponding to the respectiveoperation modes are incorporated in the measurement apparatus of theembodiment.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of signal generating units forgenerating signals for a test, such as a TDMA signal generating unit 16a for generating a TDMA signal for the test, a CDMA signal generatingunit 16 b for generating a CDMA signal for the test, and an arbitrarysignal generating unit 16 c are incorporated.

The respective signal generating units 16 a, 16 b, 16 c are connected tothe aforementioned respective shared signal terminals 5 a via switches17 a, 17 b, 17 c and signal conductor 21 as a changeover switch circuit.

Furthermore, the respective signal generating units 16 a, 16 b, 16 c areconnected to a modulator 20 via switches 18 a, 18 b, 18 c and signalconductor 22, respectively.

The signals for the test outputted from the respective signal generatingunits 16 a, 16 b, 16 c are modulated by the modulator 20, andsubsequently amplified by an RF (high frequency) amplifier 32.

The signal for the test amplified by the RF (high frequency) amplifier32 is outputted to the outside of the apparatus as a test object via thesignal terminal 5 which is disposed on the front surface 1 a and whosesignal is fixed.

A clock generator 19 connected to the fifth shared signal terminal 5 a(Number 5) among the five shared signal terminals 5 a of Number 1 to 5generates a clock signal synchronized with a clock inputted via thefifth shared signal terminal 5 a, and supplies the clock signal to therespective signal generating units 16 a, 16 b, 16 c.

Additionally, as shown and partially omitted via a broken line in FIG.3, the respective signal generating units 16 a, 16 b, 16 c are alsoattached to the respective shared signal terminals 14 attached to theback surface 1 b of the housing 1 via the respective switches.

In the measurement apparatus constituted of a type of computer, a busline 21 is connected to the aforementioned signal generating units 16 a,16 b, 16 c, a switch circuit control circuit 22 for changing/controllingrespective switches 17 a, 17 b, 17 c, 18 a, 18 b, 18 c, a display drivecircuit 23 for displaying various data in the display 4, an inputinterface 24 to which various types of operation information areinputted via the operation panel 3, a CPU 25, and an input/outputinterface 26 to which various signals are inputted/outputted via thesignal terminals 5, 13.

Furthermore, a ROM 27 for storing a control program for the CPU 25 and astorage section 28 are connected to the bus line 21.

In the storage section 28, an operation mode memory 29 for storing theoperation mode set at the present time, signal name memory 30 and backsurface (rear surface) correspondence table memory 31 are formed.

In the signal name memory 30, as shown in FIG. 4, a signal name pattern12 constituted of a plurality of frames in which signal names 11 of thesignals allocated to the respective signal terminals 5 a are written isstored for each of the respective signal generating units 16 a, 16 b, 16c.

For example, for the top TDMA signal generating unit 16 a, “data”,“symbol clock”, “burst gate”, “burst trigger”, and “data clock” are setas the signal names 11 to the respective signal terminals 5 a of numbers1 to 5.

Similarly, for the second CDMA signal generating unit 16 b, “frametrigger”, “data”, “power control”, and “reference data clock” are setfor the respective signal terminals 5 a of numbers 1 to 3 and 5.

Additionally, in this case, the fourth signal terminal 5 a is in anunused state.

Moreover, data of a content corresponding to a back surfacecorrespondence table 31 a shown in FIG. 6 is stored in a table form inthe back surface (rear surface) correspondence table memory 31.

In the back surface correspondence table 31 a, the signal names 11allocated to the respective shared signal terminals 14 (terminalnumbers) attached to the back surface 1 b shown in FIG. 2 are preparedfor each of the respective signal generating units 16 a, 16 b, 16 c.

Moreover, the switch circuit control circuit 22 closes the respectiveswitches on opposite sides of the signal generating unit, and opens therespective switches on the opposite sides of another signal generatingunit based on a signal generating unit change instruction in which oneof the signal generating units 16 a, 16 b, 16 c of the CPU 25 isdesignated. In this case, only the designated signal generating unit isconnected to the RF amplifier 32 via the respective shared signalterminals 5 a and modulator 20.

Furthermore, the CPU 25 is constituted to execute a necessary processingin a procedure in accordance with a flowchart shown in FIG. 7 based onthe control program stored in the ROM 27, when a power is supplied tothe measurement apparatus.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, first when the power switch 2 of the frontsurface 1 a is turned on, the CPU 25 performs various initializationprocessings (step S1).

Moreover, the operation panel 3 is in a standby state until the operatoroperates the panel.

When an operator's operation content is an operation mode changeoperation (step S2), the CPU 25 sets the changed operation mode in theoperation mode memory 29 of the storage section 28 (step S3).

Subsequently, also when the operator's operation content is not theoperation mode change in the step S2, the CPU 25 reads the operationmode stored in the operation mode memory 29 (step S4).

Subsequently, the CPU 25 reads the signal name pattern 12 of the signalgenerating unit 16 a, 16 b, 16 c corresponding to the pertinentoperation mode stored in the signal name memory 30 (step S5).Subsequently, the CPU 25 drives the display drive circuit 23 to displaythe read signal name pattern 12 in contact with the lower side 4 b ofthe lowermost stage of the display screen 4 a of the display 4 as shownin FIG. 5 (step S6).

Additionally, a display state of the signal name pattern 12 ismaintained without being deleted while the measurement apparatus isoperating.

Therefore, in this state, as shown in FIG. 1, each signal name 11 in thesignal name pattern 12 indicates the signal name of the signalinputted/outputted to each shared signal terminal 5 a disposed adjacentto the lower side 4 b of the display screen 4 a.

Subsequently, when the operator's operation content is a back surfaceterminal display instruction (step S7), the CPU 25 reads the backsurface correspondence table 31 a stored in the back surface (rearsurface) correspondence table memory 31 of the storage section 28 andshown in FIG. 6 to display the table in a middle portion of the displayscreen 4 a for a given time such as one minute (step S8).

Therefore, the operator can confirm the signal name of the signalinputted/outputted to the shared signal terminal 14 attached to the backsurface 1 b from a front surface 1 a side.

Subsequently, the CPU 25 drives the switch circuit control circuit 22 toconnect the signal generating units 16 a, 16 b, 16 c designated in theoperation mode to the respective signal terminals 5 a, andswitches/connects the units to the modulator 20 (step S9).

Subsequently, the operator connects the necessary signal conductor tothe respective shared signal terminals 5 a, 14, and subsequently usesthe operation panel 3 to set various conditions of a modulation signalgenerated by the designated signal generating unit 16 a, 16 b, or 16 c(step S10).

Examples of the conditions include a frequency, level, channel number,band width, filter, and the like as shown in FIG. 5.

After the condition setting is finished, the modulation signal for thetest in the designated conditions is generated by the designated signalgenerating unit 16 a, 16 b, or 16 c, and outputted to the signalterminal 5 via the modulator 20 and RF amplifier 32 (step S11).

In the measurement apparatus constituted as described above, as shown inFIG. 4, the signal name pattern 12 in which the signal names 11 of thesignals allocated to the respective shared signal terminals 5 a attachedto the front surface 1 a of the housing 1 are written in the frames isstored in the signal name memory 29 of the storage section 28 for eachof the signal generating units 16 a, 16 b, 16 c corresponding to therespective operation modes.

Subsequently, for example, when the operator of the measurementapparatus uses the operation panel 3 to designate the operation mode,the signal name pattern 12 corresponding to the operation mode is read,and displayed along the lower side 4 b of the display screen 4 a of thedisplay 4 as shown in FIG. 1.

As a result, each signal name 11 of the signal name pattern 12 indicatesthe signal name of the signal to be inputted/outputted to the sharedsignal terminal 5 a attached below the lower side 4 b of the displayscreen 4 a.

Therefore, when the operator only designates the operation modecorresponding to the measurement item (function) indicating each of thesignal generating units 16 a, 16 b, 16 c, the operator can confirm thesignal name 11 of the signal to be inputted/outputted to each sharedsignal terminal 5 a, and the operability of the measurement apparatuscan remarkably be enhanced.

That is, different from the conventional apparatus, it is unnecessary toprepare the signal name plate 6 a, 6 b, . . . for each signal generatingunit.

Furthermore, even when the measurement item (signal generating units 16a, 16 b, 16 c) is added, the signal name 11 corresponding to the signalgenerating unit added to the shared signal terminal 5 a can be displayedonly by setting the signal name pattern 12 with the respective signalnames 11 corresponding to the added signal generating units writtentherein in the signal name memory 30.

Therefore, as described above, according to the present invention, whenthe operator selects the operation mode, the signal name of the signalto be inputted/outputted to the shared signal terminal is automaticallydisplayed, and the operability can largely be enhanced. Additionally,even when the measurement item (function) is added, the signal namecorresponding to the added measurement item (function) can easily bedisplayed. Therefore, the measurement apparatus whose operability canfurther be enhanced can be provided.

What is claimed is:
 1. A measurement apparatus comprising: a pluralityof signal processing units contained in a housing and corresponding to aplurality of operation modes concerning a signal processing,respectively; an operation panel, a display, and a plurality of signalterminals disposed in the vicinity of the display and shared by saidrespective signal processing units, which are arranged on a frontsurface of said housing, respectively; a changeover switch circuit,disposed between said plurality of signal terminals and said respectivesignal processing units, for switching/connecting said plurality ofsignal terminals to said respective signal processing units; a signalname memory, disposed for each of said signal processing units, forstoring a signal name of a signal allocated to each of said signalterminals; switch circuit control means for switching said changeoverswitch circuit in response to an operated/inputted operation modedesignation to connect said each signal terminal to the signalprocessing unit corresponding to the designated operation mode; andsignal name display means for reading each signal name corresponding tosaid designated operation mode from said signal name memory anddisplaying the signal name in the vicinity of the corresponding signalterminal in a display screen of said display in response to saidoperation mode designation.
 2. The measurement apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein a display state of said signal name is maintainedwithout being deleted for a period for which the measurement apparatusis operating.
 3. The measurement apparatus according to claim 1, whereina plurality of markers are put down in contact with a lower side of thedisplay screen of said display in said housing front surface, and inpositions corresponding to said plurality of signal terminals.
 4. Themeasurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a display indicatingthat levels of input signals applied to the respective signal terminalsshould be applied as the same level is attached to attachment positionsof said plurality of signal terminals in said housing front surface. 5.The measurement apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising aback surface correspondence memory in which a plurality of signalterminals shared by said respective signal processing units attached toa back surface of the housing, and signal names allocated to therespective shared signal terminals are prepared, wherein said signalname display means reads the signal names allocated to the plurality ofsignal terminals attached to said housing back surface from said backsurface correspondence memory in response to a back surface terminaldisplay instruction and displays the signal names in the display screenof said display.
 6. The measurement apparatus according to claim 5,wherein said signal name display means reads the signal names allocatedto the plurality of signal terminals attached to said housing backsurface and displays the signal names in a table form in the displayscreen of said display for a predetermined time.
 7. The measurementapparatus according to claim 5, wherein a display indicating that levelsof input signals applied to the respective signal terminals should beapplied as the same level is attached to attachment positions of saidplurality of signal terminals in said housing back surface.
 8. Themeasurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality ofsignal processing units comprise a TDMA signal generating unit forgenerating a TDMA signal for a test, and a CDMA signal generating unitfor generating a CDMA signal for the test.
 9. The measurement apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein for said TDMA signal generating unit, saidsignal name display means displays “data”, “symbol clock”, “burst gate”,“burst trigger”, and “data clock” as the signal names for the respectivesignal terminals in the display screen of said display.
 10. Themeasurement apparatus according to claim 8, wherein for said CDMA signalgenerating unit, said signal name display means displays “frametrigger”, “data”, “power control”, and “reference data clock” as thesignal names for the respective signal terminals in the display screenof said display.